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Book Review: Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log by Karen A. Chase & Giveaway (e-Copy-US only)

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Who doesn’t dream of going to Paris? I know I sure do but the odds of me going aren’t the greatest but that doesn’t mean I can’t live vicariously through Karen A. Chase as she takes me on a trip through Paris in her novel Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log (40 years, 40 days, 40 seconds). This trip was Karen’s present to herself for her fortieth birthday. She was going to go to Paris for 40 days to experience the food, art, and atmosphere to it’s fullest and that’s just what she does! This book is based on the blog that she kept while on her travels so she could keep everyone at home informed plus it was a perfect way of recording her memories – that and pictures, of course. As Karen herself said, ‘My days were filled with creating, writing, cycling, photographing, walking, learning, loving, and experiencing’ (pg 46).  Really, could there be a better way to spend the big 4-0? I don’t think so.

This 40 day travel journey of Karen’s takes us through her days while she’s in Paris.  She describes the places she visits and the people but best of all is the food. Oh, the food. I think I died and went to heaven just reading about it, let alone eating it. Her talk of the fresh breads and cheeses had me drooling as these are two of my most favorite things in the world. Then there is the coffee and pastries – more heaven. Of course Karen mentions that the French never seem to gain weight eating like this but as she points out they take a meal seriously. It is meant to be savored and enjoyed, therefore a meal lasts hours not minutes as it does us here in our end of the world. That and of course they walk a whole lot out there and apparently very quickly.

One place that Karen visited that I would love to see is a bookstore called Shakespeare and Company. It sounds simply divine for a book lover like me and so many of you. This description alone – ‘I don’t think you can call this simply a bookstore. It is a delightfully wild land of literary abandonment and insanity —a page-filled palace overflowing with words, phrases, novel writers, readers, and inspiration’. (pg 61) I know that Paris has so much for a person to experience but I’m not entirely sure I’d want to leave this bookstore. Another thing that I loved about Karen’s travel memoir was the pictures scattered throughout. For the reader it really made you feel more like you were there experiencing Paris with her.

This is a great travel log for people planning a trip to Paris or for those like me who may never get to go and can experience it through Karen. After reading Karen’s book I feel as though I would know what to expect if I were to take a trip to Paris. It’s a relatively short book at just 134 pages and they fly by because, of course, you’re anxious to know what she’ll be experiencing next. For Karen, renting an apartment there and living for 40 days with the love of her life coming out for the last 10 of those days turned out to be one of the best experiences of her life. It will certainly give her memories forever and what could be better than that!

Be sure to check out Karen’s website, blog,  and you can find her on Facebook and Twitter as well.  Bonjour 40 is available for purchase for your Kindle and your Nook.  I’ll leave you now with the book trailer to enjoy…

 

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I just happen to have an e-copy of Bonjour 40 by Karen A. Chase plus 1 – 5×7 prints of Karen’s photos up for giveaway. To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, January 7/12.  Good luck everyone!

Source: Review copy received from author via publicist.  No compensation was received for this review.

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Comments

    • Amy, you’re so lucky to have been to Paris! I’d love to go someday. I love this cover as well – it’s great.

  4. I also thin the mention of breads and cheeses would make me drool. I can’t imagine a better place to be for my 40th birthday than Paris, so this book seems like it would be a great read for me. I would love to be entered in your giveaway as well, and thanks for hosting it!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

    • Heather, I was drooling. I’m sure I could live on bread and cheese – oh and butter. lol. I already passed my 40th birthday so it would have to be my 50th if I was to do it.

  5. Never say never! My mom is in her late 50’s and we finally convinced her now that us kids are all done school and one of us is married that she should go-and May 2012 she is! I may have to pick up this book for her to get her excited for her adventure!

    I have been to Paris twice now, and it is absolutely lovely. You cannot help but love the city.

    I have been in Shakespeare and Company and not only is the shopkeeper a dear, but it is just so perfectly Parisian too! Look for the Craig Ferguson YouTube clips, he does some shows with her and a tour of the store!

    • Lana, that’s awesome that your mom will finally be making a trip to Paris. I agree it’s never to late!

  6. It’s been about 11 years since I visited Paris and I would LOVE to go back. Scott and I talk about it but I’m just not sure when we would get back. This book sounds really lovely, though I have to admit that I’m not sure about e-books yet.

    If I don’t make it back this week, I want to wish you a beautiful Christmas Darlene. Hugs. 🙂

    • Trish, I didn’t know you had been to Paris- lucky you. I’m sure you and Scott will someday make it there together – after all the kiddies are grown.

      Merry Christmas to you, Scott and little Elle! Hugs to you all.

  7. Ooooh, this sounds amazing! I’ve heard that Shakespeare & Co is incredible (I think the current owner just passed away :(). The artwork looks gorgeous — the cover alone is beautiful. Thanks for the lovely giveaway — I am a follower.

    • Kathy, I hope you’ll get to go next March and yes you’ll have to check out the bookstore so you can tell us all about it.

    • Naida, I know you enjoyed this book as well. Your post was great! It’s funny how all us booklover’s point out that bookstore.

  10. I dream of going to Paris one day..the bookstore sounds like heaven to me! Loved your review of this one. I picked it up a while ago when it was 4.99 or something like that. Can’t wait to read it!

    • Jenners, that’s what I was just saying – I’ll have to go when I’m 50, since 40 passed a while ago. lol.

    • Mary, I know you enjoyed this book as well. I agree, it would be nice to go on a trip there and stay a while so you really get the true experience of Paris.

  14. The concept sounds great. Who wouldn’t want to spend 40 days in Paris for their 40th bday! Thanks for the giveaway!

  15. Oh this sounds like such a wonderful book! Wish I could’ve gone to Paris for my 40th birthday. 🙂 I guess I’ll just have to read this book and pretend!

  16. Darlene, my fellow Canadian, I am so thrilled to have been included in your blog. It’s delightful to know that my trip is reaching so many great readers and lovers of Paris. For everyone of you I hope you’ll save as I did and fulfill your dream of going. Lana, you must be so excited for your mum. How wonderful that she’s taking the adventure! Be sure to tell her to go see Bandit. My editor is heading to Paris for New Years and hopes to see Bandit and Dorothee while she’s there. And of course, she’ll visit Shakespeare & Company. Yes, we lost the owner just last week, but he was 98 years old. Clearly reading encourages a long life. Darlene, you’ll live on forever!